Purdue University’s candlelight memorial for Tyler Trent rescheduled

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University has made a change in its plans for a candlelight memorial honoring a student who inspired people across the world as he fought cancer.

The university originally scheduled the memorial for Tyler Trent for Tuesday, Jan. 8. However, Trent’s celebration of life service was scheduled for the same day, and Purdue has moved its candlelight memorial to Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 6 p.m. in front of Hovde Hall.

Trent passed away at the age of 20, the Purdue Cancer Center said Tuesday night. Trent is an alumnus of the university and was known for his positive outlook in addition to his love for his alma mater.

He received all of his treatment at Riley Hospital for Children and donated his tumor to the Wells Center for Pediatric Research. Riley created a cancer research endowment in his name, which will help fund the Precision Genomics program. Funds will cover genetic testing for families and aid in research to continue to search for a cure.

“The world lost a great Boilermaker in Tyler Trent. Anyone who spent time with him or heard his story in one of the countless national media accounts knows he was a remarkable young man — someone whose record of accomplishment was far longer than most people can accrue in many decades of life,” the university said in a statement.

UPDATE: Fans looking for ways to celebrate Tyler Trent can do so on campus next Wednesday, Jan. 9 at a candlelight memorial outside of Hovde Hall at 6 PM. The memorial was previously announced for Tuesday.